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Post by Loegaire mac Niell on May 19, 2016 14:59:30 GMT
Loegaire stirred from his slumber. The sea was still, though his humble Currach gently rocked on the surface. They had been rowing since the previous night, and darkness was once again creeping across the water. Loegaire knew these waters well, and he now saw his target. The Kingdom of the Rock. Likely too was it that their targets had spotted them, and with dusk approaching the men picked up the pace, with all those who had been resting taking to the oar and preparing their arms. The task was simple, take as much wealth as could be found, particularly in the valuable and easily transported form of slaves. then leave before a larger army could arrive to meet them. At the back of his boat, Loegaire had placed two Celtic horns. Long and curved, much like the horns of a bull, when played they produced notes deep and terrifying that resonated across large distances. When Loegaire and his raiders were within five minutes of reaching the shore, they were sounded. The ceitherns lit their torches, and the mist that lay low over the sea glowed red. Spears, swords and shields were rhythmically pounded against the sides of the currachs. Loegaire unsheathed his own sword as the shore rapidly approached them...
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Post by Admin on May 20, 2016 12:06:02 GMT
As the raiders traverse the lands of Alt Clut, relatively unopposed, they often see silhouetted riders on the horizon. An uneasy feeling of being watched pervades, but the riders don't stay long. It becomes clear that they are all heading towards the Rock on the Clyde itself, a well-fortified city that also attracts many farmers seeking refuge. The rock itself is too well fortified to take without a siege, so the raiders make do with the streams of slaves they can gather on their way to safety at the rock.
The king's share of the slaves totals 200 Aurei, and the influx of human chattels into Ulaid helps to replenish lost labour from the war with Laighin. Briton slaves fill positions formerly filled by free Irishmen, and harvests as well as levies are expected to be unaffected by the losses at Laighin should the raiding provide any more slaves.
It is known that the king of Alt Clut has a thousand men or more in his retinue, but he chose not to put up a fight. Some raiders warn that the wily king was probably already plotting his revenge as he sat in his fort, passively watching as his subjects were taken away, bound as slaves.
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Post by Loegaire mac Niell on May 23, 2016 16:56:35 GMT
OoC: I realise that this thread would probably be more fitting in 'Northern Brittania' as it stands, though I intended on using it for all raids to come.
Niall breathed deep the air of the sea. He had missed it dearly, his recovering wounds prevented him from sailing the previous year. His band of 4,000 Ceithern was stunning sight, rowing smoothly upon the waves. The riches acquired last year had treated them well. Yet, they had ate and drank their fill, and yearned to fill their purses once more. Their King, however, had an ulterior motive. The Cruthin King had fled, along with many of his men. Though Niall did not know their whereabouts, he suspected Alt Clut or Pictland. If the Cruthin conspired with the Christian King at The Rock, Niall had to know, though Alt Clut would likely be prepared for raids after their horrific sufferings at the hands of Loegaire. Therefore, it was decided, Niall would make towards the Isles of Pictland. Should he find the Cruthin, they would be a relatively welcome sight, as he would know his enemies were still divided. Should they not be present, then he might well be able to find information about their whereabouts in between bouts of pillaging.
Niall was accompanied by Malgarb, who had developed an unusual fondness of his King's sword 'Fragarach,' and was often seen fondling it when he presumed others were not looking. Ailill of the Airgialla also accompanied him. The Hostage King was, perhaps fittingly, escorting a number of Cruthin hostages - nobles and their kin. Niall did not simply want to raid the Isles of Pictland should he find his former foes. He wanted to open up a dialogue, and planned to gift these prisoners back should the Cruthin agree to pay tribute to their betters. Of course, when negotiating with a potential tributary it is best to treat them to a glimpse of one's force.
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Post by Admin on May 24, 2016 13:36:29 GMT
OoC: I don't know where my posts from the raid on Alt Clut are now... Have they disappeared or am I being an idiot?
IC:
The Isles of Pictland are found in disarray. There is little to loot that has not already been seized or burnt. The local Pictish chiefs seem frustrated to see another Irishman, explaining that they have already paid for protection, and find it hard to believe that the High King is not merely another Cruthin trying to squeeze extra protection from the lords of the isles.
When Niall's host arrives at one of the larger islands, they find that the king of the Cruthin, known as King Riada, who has claimed these islands as his own, and was working on subduing the smaller Pictish tribes dispersed throughout the islands. Through speaking to locals it is discovered that Riada has been bolstered by bands of renegades and raiders from all over the Gaelic world, and now commands a more impressive Picto-Gael warband. In addition, he has formed an alliance with the Picts of Fortriu and married a Pictish princess.
In reply to a demand for tribute, an attempt at a diplomatic response is given, "These years of exile have not been easy, and what little we can take by force of arms is turned over for the essentials of survival. I'm afraid we have little to give now, as our grip on these islands is young. If you grant me time, I may extract tribute from my lesser kings, and grant it to you, the High King. Let the seasons pass, let me collect my tributes, and I shall bring you a gift of treasures, cattle and slaves, and bring it to you in Ulaid. Please, leave our lands with no further devastation, so that we may survive the winter to come, and have the means to extract a tribute for you."
The Cruthin aren't eager to fight, but they are desperate. Niall can continue his raiding, or try to conquer the Cruthin, or accept the offer of delayed tribute and return home.
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Post by Loegaire mac Niell on May 24, 2016 16:13:16 GMT
OoC: You posted them in 'Lia Fail,' I think. I presume unintentionally.
Niall graciously accepts the offer of delayed tribute. He believes the Gaelic world is stronger together, rather than divided, and hands over the King's kinfolk as a symbol of the generosity he offers to those who follow him.
As the High-King gathers his retinue to leave he eyes an emaciated druid, cross legged and rocking back and forth murmuring. 'My King, the men are rea-' Niall raised his arm to silence Ailill, as he walked towards the druid. His eyes were like black sapphires, transfixed on the shriveled mushrooms he was eating. Niall recognised the words the druid was muttering, they were the same that Malgarb had uttered during his trance on the road to Na Emain...
Across the sea will come Adze-head, crazed in the head,
his cloak with hole for the head, his stick bent in the head.
He will chant impieties from a table in the front of his house;
all his people will answer: "so be it, so be it."
Something big was coming, something steeped in prophecy. He would have to consult Malgarb.
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Post by Admin on May 25, 2016 18:38:02 GMT
OoC: Moved. That'll teach me to be a tab-whore.
IC: 50 Aurei is the meagre sum of the king's share of the loot. Twice as much could have been won if an accord had not been struck, but the men all agreed that it would not be worth it, and that they'd rather be given a small bounty from Riada's tribute. It is far easier for loot to come to you, than for you to have to take it by force.
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Post by Loegaire mac Niell on Jun 2, 2016 12:20:36 GMT
Niall marveled at the heat of the Sun. He had heard tales of arid lands further south, where the Sun's gaze cold kill a man within hours and only the most evil creatures of folklore could survive. The King was further south than he had ever been, he wondered how close he was getting to the edge of the world, though for now the warmth was a pleasant addition to an otherwise blustery day on the sea. Niall was accompanied by his kinmen, advisers and the Ceithern and, as the shores of Dumnonia came into view before them, Malgarb prepared Fragarach for battle.
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Post by Admin on Jun 7, 2016 22:19:43 GMT
By good fortune, the raiders arrive at the same time as a Roman trading fleet, bearing goods from the Mediterranean. Docked in the port at a Dumnonian city known locally as the Narrow Fort, Din Tagell, after the fort that protects it. While the fort protects many of its people, there is no time for them to save their goods. The Irish roam freely through wide streets, arranged in an organised manner, pillaging the hundreds of rectilinear buildings that line the streets, including a large basilica filled with fine ornaments, a Church dedicated to a woman of all things - supposedly a pious princess of Venta, and a Roman bathhouse. Some prisoners are drowned in the bath to keep the others in line, and a large group of finely dressed men are found in an open forum, stripped of their finery and taken as slaves.
It seems that Dumnonia is very rich from trade, and the goods passing through it are worth a great deal. Many more sites are raided up and down the country, but nothing compares to the wealth of the trading cities of the coast, and the three huge Roman sailing vessels filled with wine and silk. It goes without saying that many of the raiders were inebriated, and this allowed a group of 500 to be cut down by an ambush of local men. Such events are rare in the grand scheme of things, and open battle is rarely offered. 3,000 Aurei worth of wine, silks, slaves and pottery is taken as the King's share of the loot. Most is sold to the warriors of Pagenses and Venta, since the pottery apparently means a great deal to them, and the west Britons' fondness of wine is a matter of common knowledge.
The raid on Dumnonia is the most lucrative to date, and Niall will not soon be forgotten in these lands. It seems, however, that a thousand young Kerns have chosen to stay behind under a leader of their own, and hope to make their way as mercenaries and adventurers on the mainland, having been tempted by the treasures of Dumnonia.
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Post by Loegaire mac Niell on Jun 8, 2016 1:07:56 GMT
OoC: Have those 1000 Kerns been taken from my retinue? Just wondering as the ledger doesn't seem to have been updated to reflect it.
IC: Niall reluctantly bids farewell to his fellow adventurers. He was disappointed that they were leaving, but 1000 Gaels pillaging inland could well render the coasts less well defended. Moreso, with the exodus of the Cruthin to Pictland and the settling of the Deisi in Western Britannia the potential for Niall to be the High King of a Gaelic Empire could well be realised.
Upon return to Eire Niall divides an additional 250 Aurei worth of goods among his remaining men, replenishes his undermanned units and hires a new band of Ceithern to replace those who left.
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Post by Admin on Jun 8, 2016 21:35:23 GMT
OoC: No, the post was outdated. It is now up-to-date, with 1,250 Aurei removed for the bonus and for the replacement Kerns. When I have spare time after the necessary Admining, you shall from time-to-time receive updates about the Kerns, and whatever varying degree of success they achieve.
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